Author: Claire Yarnold

18-month-old bull mastiff Taiga, is a growing pup full of energy. She recently tore her CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) whilst running up the staircase at her family home and urgently needs surgery to fix it.

The total cost of Taiga’s surgery and follow-up medication is estimated at $2,570; an amount none of us can imagine suddenly having to spend. Taiga’s owner Susan, is on disability and is struggling to find the funds for her surgery. That’s why she reached out to VHS for financial assistance from the McVitie Fund.

She is my emotional comfort animal and helps me cope with a chronic nerve pain medical condition. Sometimes I think Taiga is human. She is very funny and one of her quirks is sitting on the sofa like a person.

Susan, Taiga’s loving dog mom

Taiga is a huge part of Susan’s life. You can help keep this paw-some pair together by making a donation today to help cover the cost of Taiga’s CCL surgery. Thanks to an anonymous matching grant donor, your donation will also be doubled!

Andrew and his son moved into his home seven years ago and was greeted by a grey cat that the previous tenants left behind. His family quickly formed a bond with the cat and decided to call him Mr. Earl.

He immediately took to me and slept on my bed every night and was so happy he had someone to care for him and snuggle with. Recently he has found a new favourite place which he really loves – hanging out with my son in his room and watching TV. They have become best friends.

Andrew, Mr. Earls guardian

Andrew recently contacted VHS as Mr. Earl had gotten out of the house and arrived back in rough shape, his left hind leg appearing broken.

He’s been hiding under a table in my son’s room and we can’t get close to him because he squeals and hisses when we get near. He’s not eating, drinking or using the litter box. He is in a lot of pain.

Andrew was laid off four months ago due to Covid-19. A roofer for more than 20 years, Andrew and his son needed some support for Mr. Earl.

I have never asked for help before because I know there are people less fortunate than myself, but recently I have been struggling and this is why I have to ask. We love Mr. Earl more than anything and it would be heartbreaking if he left us. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for the support of our kitty.

Our McVitie Fund, generously funded by supporters like you, helped pay for Mr. Earl’s surgery for his broken leg at the end of July. But 10 days after his surgery, the wound site became extremely infected and there was a need for a second procedure to remove infected tissue from inside his stitches.

Mr. Earl’s two procedures totaled more than $700. Will you help cover the cost of his care by making a donation to our McVitie Fund today?

Sweet Duko was taken into the loving care of owner Denise after being surrendered by his previous owner when they became homeless.

When we first took Duko in we were not given any information on his health. We kept asking the previous owner but didn’t receive an answer. Finally, we got him signed over at his vet and we found out that he has a past of seizures and his teeth were also in bad shape.

Denise, Duko’s guardian

Duko needed 14 teeth removing, along with blood work and x-rays.

These procedures cost $1,300 and left me struggling financially with other things, but he was better which made it worth it.

This July, Denise noticed a swelling on Duko’s jaw and he started getting a fever so she took him back to the vet. The vet found that Duko had an infection on his back tooth and had a few other loose teeth that would need to come out. He also needed his blood work taken again and x-rays after the extractions to ensure there were no further complications.

Even though he shows signs of tooth pain he is still such a sweetheart. He loves my two girls so much; he sees them as his pups. Being a single mom it’s been tough to save any kind of money. I am on disability assistance, but I do work a part time job two or three times a week. Duko really is a part of the family and we love him so much.

Denise and her daughters provided a loving home for Duko when he needed it most, and now they are trying to give him the very best life. That’s why they reached out to VHS for help from our McVitie Fund.

Could you make a contribution to help pay for Duko’s urgent dental work?

Proffit the cat was rushed to the ER earlier this month when his owner Jacqui noticed he was having difficultly breathing. With a diagnosis of water in his lungs and congestive heart failure, he received emergency medical treatment and was kept in the clinic overnight for monitoring.

The bill was $2,100 and I had to borrow my friends credit card. I’ve been out of work because of a car accident and I’m on social assistance while I wait to apply for disability. I do have a part time job waiting for me, but it is closed due to Covid.

Jacqui, Proffit’s owner

Jacqui told us that Proffit has been in her life for the past 8 years and he is loved very much. She tries to do everything she can to ensure that he is well looked after. Proffit has since returned to the vet for further blood work and is now on medication for his heart failure.

He is doing better now and is happy at home, but he needs to visit the vet again for them to monitor how his meds are doing and to make sure his kidneys are okay with this medicine. It has also been recommended that he get a cardiac ultrasound to further assess his heart and ensure he’s on the correct long-term medication.

Our McVitie Fund helps keep animals like Proffit happy and healthy in the loving care of their owners. Unexpected veterinary bills can be financially and emotionally devastating for individuals struggling on little or no income.

Please help Proffit and Jacqui by making a donation today to support his recovery.

Tank is an active, athletic 3-year-old American bully/old English bully cross who means everything to her loving family.

My son was born with only half a heart and has had three open heart surgeries and a stroke all before he was two and a half years old. Tank lets us know when he is off and helps keep him calm when his brain can’t handle his environment. Though she is not a registered therapy dog, she is my son’s therapy dog and his protector.

Julie, Tank’s loving guardian

When Tank injured her left leg, her owner Julie was told that she would need emergency knee surgery to fix the injury, costing $4,000; an amount she knew their struggling family could not afford.

My husband was laid off in August 2019 and due to COVID-19 he has only just gone back to work. I have also been out of work since February, as I teach first aid and have to be very careful with our high risk son. We have depleted our savings and that makes this $4000+ surgery an impossibility without some help. My boys are doing a bottle drive and I am drumming up some sales from my knitting and crochet hobby, but without help from organizations like yours we will be unable to get the surgery done for a long time, and she would be in pain without it.

That’s where our McVitie Fund comes in. It is only because of generous supporters like you, that we are able to help Julie and Tank.

We are determined to keep loving, loyal Tank with her family. Can you help Tank by contributing towards the cost of her surgery?

Rocco’s owner, Fay, adopted Rocco when he was 2-years-old. On a limited pension from the government, Fay was nervous when Rocco started limping. He needed an ACL surgery, but on her limited funds she was going to have to choose between buying groceries and giving up her best friend.

Luckily, Fay found the Vancouver Humane Society and we were able to assist her in covering the costs of Rocco’s much needed surgery. 

For his 10^th birthday, days before his surgery, Fay showered Rocco in treats, happy to celebrate their close bond. Rocco’s surgery went well and he is now on the mend!

Donate to help cover the cost of Rocco’s surgery